{We’re so excited about Katie Orr’s new Bible Study, Everyday Hope: Holding Fast to His Promise, that we’ve decided to give away a copy! I know you’ll love it as much as we do! Giveaway details follow the excerpt from the book.}
Excerpt from Everyday Hope by Katie Orr
I’m particularly drawn to instructions. I long for someone to tell me what to do when in order to achieve my desired outcome. Whether it be how to put a savory, yet nutritious meal on the table in less than an hour cooking time, or the best way to maximize my time as a work-at-home mom, I’m especially drawn to the how-to’s in the areas I feel week.
I think many people are this way, and our spiritual life is no different. It only takes a quick stroll down the self-help book aisle to see what we all crave: something more than what we have now. It’s easy to feel depleted and defeated emotionally, relationally, and spiritually.
As a Christian, the pressure’s on to be a beacon of light to the lost world around me, yet sometimes I can’t seem to shake the feeling I should be doing or experiencing something I’m not. Scripture tells us that Christ came to earth to provide a living hope (1 Peter 1:3). It’s one thing to read these words on a paper and say, “Amen.” It’s quite another to experience this living hope in our everyday lives.
Maybe you feel this dissonance as well?
You and I are on a voyage. A journey toward this living hope and abundant life our Creator and Savior has promised. However, our travels can often feel more like we’re aimlessly tossing in a storming sea of hopelessness. You may desire to better navigate the trip ahead. You may find yourself looking for a way out of the chaos, for a ladder that will lead to the lifeboat that promises rescue from the storm. Or, maybe you’ve given up altogether, and all you have left is a weak cry for help from the bottom of the boat.
You may have heard from others: “Keep your chin up. Don’t lose hope!” It’s easy to see hope as a verb — something we need to do. An action we need to take. Though there are actions we can and should take when our soul is in despair, trying to conjure up the strength to be hopeful is not helpful.
It’s impossible.
Hope is a noun, not a verb. It’s not something we do to escape the storm. Hope is what we hold fast to, as we endure each wave.
Hope is a treasured possession, not an action.
Hope is a guiding light, not a ladder to climb.
Hope is a steadfast anchor, not a search for more.
Hope is a harbor of promise, not a way of escape.
Our hope is found in the Gospel of Christ alone. This good news of Jesus is not a one-time experience; it’s a moment-by-moment need.
PRAY THIS WITH ME: God, we are desperate to experience the hope of Christ in our everyday. We look forward in anticipation to all You have planned for us through Your Word. Open our eyes to see the truths the Bible holds about our gospel-hope. Soften our hearts to receive them. Enable our souls and minds to follow you in obedience as we respond to all You will speak to us.
(This is an excerpt from Everyday Hope, an easy to use, four-week study. Designed for women who are pressed for time, yet crave depth from their Bible study, Everyday Hope offers a relevant and lasting approach for reading and understanding Scripture. In as few as 15 minutes a day, explore hope that fills the Scriptures and the same hope God intends to fill your life. Everyday Hope, will help you discover how to hold fast to His promises amidst feelings of hopelessness. Purchase your copy today at your favorite retail bookstore. Also available online at these online stores.)
(Author and DoNotDepart founder and contributor, Katie Orr)
If you’d like to enter to win a copy of Everyday Hope, enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Entering is easy! Just click the Rafflecopter giveaway below and fill out the requested info. When the giveaway ends, we’ll choose a winner and connect with you by email. Click the link below to enter the giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Once you click the link, you’ll see four ways to enter:
- Leave a Blog post comment (mandatory)
- Follow us on Twitter (optional)
- Visit us on Facebook (optional)
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We can’t wait to bless you with Katie’s study! Hurry and enter to win! Entries will be accepted until midnight, Jan 20th.
This study looks great. I will be leading a women’s study this spring and I think it would make a great topic.
Not sure if this is where I need to comment to enter the drawing..hope so. Let me know if there is another spot please.
Thanks for highlighting resources like this.
This is the perfect place to comment! So glad to hear you think Everyday Hope would be a good fit for your spring study. It’s our pleasure to share these great resources with you! :) Blessings!
I totally love the conversations here around Scripture! Do Not Depart is a breath of fresh air when keeping it simple and making memorizing and KNOWING God’s Word an urgent matter!
We’re so glad you enjoy DoNotDepart! Thanks for letting us know and entering the giveaway! God bless!
This looks so encouraging! Would love to read it!
Katie Orr is great at writing encouraging words! Thanks for entering the giveaway! Blessings!
This is an exciting giveaway! The word God gave me for this year was Hope!
Your word is Hope? I love it when God does neat things like that! :) Thanks for entering, Sandy! Blessings
This looks like an awesome study that you for giving us all the opportunity to win the book.
Our pleasure! Thanks for entering, Noelle!
What a beautiful excerpt! Katie Orr writes some truthful, healing words
I totally agree, Alyssa! She is definitely a gifted author! Blessings to you!
Hope is something we all need and this seems like a wonderful bible study.
You are so right– something we all need, and need to hold fast to! Thanks for entering the giveaway, Pam! Blessings!
I’ve been hearing lots of great things about this study!
I think it truly lives up to what you’ve heard! Glad you’ve entered to win, Sarah! God bless!
This looks awesome! Would love to go through this study!
Hi, Natalie– if you haven’t already, make sure to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway above for this item. It’s a great study and I’m excited about the opportunity to give it away! :) Blessings!
Would love to win!
Megan, make sure you enter the Rafflecopter giveaway (above) if you haven’t done so. It’s a great study! We’re excited to share it with the winner-to-be! Blessings!
Oh I love the post today! Hope is my word in 2016 and looking fordward to what God is going to trache us about the hope He gives us. Thank You for encouraging blog posts!
So glad you enjoyed the post, sweet Helen!! :) Yes, I’m looking forward to all God has in store to teach us, too! It’s our pleasure to be an encouragement. (Did you want to enter the giveaway? If so, look for the Rafflecopter giveaway above to enter.) Blessings!
Love Katie Orr’s studies.. thanks for the chance to win
I love her studies, too! So thankful for her obedience to God in writing for us! :) Make sure (if you haven’t already) to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway above for a chance to win.
I love all of the resources here at do not depart. So many ways to get into the word.
Thank you, Katie! That’s our goal– we want women to feel encouraged and equipped. Life can be crazy, but God’s word gives hope and clarity. Blessings to you! :)
I just found donotdepart.com today. I was looking up info on setting spiritual goals for this year. Looking forward to reading more from the site.
Hi, Amethyst! So glad you found us. I pray you’ll find the encouragement and resources you’re looking for! God bless! :)
Congratualtions, Jeanne Doyon! You’ve won the giveaway! We’ve sent you an email with details — be on the lookout for it! :) Blessings in Christ!
Sooo excited!!!! Thank you so much